Cuban Diva Juana Bacallao Dies at 98 After Recent Hospitalization: Report

Famed Cuban singer and cabaret diva Juana Bacallao has died at the age of 98, multiple media outlets confirmed.

Cuba's Ministry of Culture released a statement to deliver the saddening news about Bacallao's death, saying she passed away on Saturday, February 24, following her stay at a hospital in Havana.

What Was Juana Bacallao's Cause of Death?

According to Cuba's Ministry of Culture's Facebook post, Bacallao stayed in the hospital for a couple of days until she succumbed. It did not disclose her cause of death, though it was clear she died of a health-related cause.

"She marked a milestone in the history of Cuban cabaret, from the 50s of the last century until just a few years ago," the statement read. "Owner of a very special sense of Cuban and Creole humor, she took her art and wit to countries such as the United States, France, Mexico, Venezuela, Dominican Republic and Spain."

Cuba's Ministry of Culture continued, "Her physical departure represents a sensitive loss for the Cuban music scene."

She continuously performed until before her hospitalization, as she previously shared her thoughts about never retiring from the industry.

"I will never retire. I will only stop once death has come for me," she told The Associated Press in 2010.

Bacallao, whose real name was Neri Amelia Martinez Salazar, started performing after Obdulio Morales discovered her singing while cleaning homes. From there, she began promoting under the moniker "Juana Bacallao."

She was also known as Juana La Cubana.

Her family has yet to release an official statement to address the loss. It also remains unknown when they will hold the funeral or memorial for the late crooner.

Juana Bacallao's Career and Legacy

In her active career years, Bacallao performed with different artists like Bola de Nieve, Nat King Cole, Celeste Mendoza, Rita Montaner, Chano Pozo and Beny Moré.

She also toured with the musicians across Puerto Rico and the U.S.

In 2020, Bacallo received the Cuban Premio Nacional del Humor (National Humor Prize), which honored her legacy and contributions to the music industry.

Until her last breath, Bacallao fully dedicated her life and heart to her home country, telling AP, "I know what life is - both poverty and wealth. This is my land. It is where I was born, and it is where I will die."